DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — A shelter in place order for residents and businesses was lifted after a reported ammonia leak at a Douglas County food distribution center on Tuesday, according to the Douglas County Emergency Management.

Emergency crews responded to the Gordon Foods Plant at 1500 North River Rd. after reports of an ammonia leak.

Douglas County Fire Chief Miles Allen says the leak was strong enough to force employees at the food plant to shelter in place.

“We also advise homes and businesses in that area to make sure their windows were closed and their air conditioners were turned off,” said Allen.

Douglas County Emergency Management officials advise motorists to avoid the area surrounding the food distribution center.

Everyone in a half a mile radius of the food plant in all directions was ordered to shelter in place. Emergency crews remain on the scene.

There is no word on what caused the leak.

According to the CDC, ammonia can be recognized by its strong smell, which is like the smell of rotting fish. Ammonia reacts with strong oxidizers, acids, halogens (including chlorine bleach), and salts of silver, zinc, copper, and other heavy metals.

Some people with asthma or other chronic lung diseases may be more sensitive to breathing ammonia than others, CDC officials add.

The CDC says symptoms of exposure to higher levels of ammonia include the following:

• Abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
• Coughing or coughing up white or pink colored fluid
• Skin blisters, pain, or redness
• Burning feeling in the nose, throat, lungs, and eyes
• Narrowing of the throat and swelling
• Permanent or temporary blindness
• Frostbite (if exposed to liquified ammonia)